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Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Arsenal Close In On Double Swoop For Leno & Torreira

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno for a fee in the region of €22m (£19.2m/$25m), Goal understands, with the Gunners also set to sign Lucas Torreira once his World Cup campaign with Uruguay comes to an end.

Unai Emery’s side are on the look out for a new goalkeeper with Arsenal open to offers for 36-year-old Petr Cech and backup option David Ospina, both of whom have one year remaining on their current contracts.

It’s likely that Ospina will depart Emirates Stadium this summer and Emery will be hoping that the shot stopper has an impressive World Cup with Colombia to increase his transfer fee.

Emery is also targeting a new defensive midfielder and a deal for 22-year-old Sampdoria star Lucas Torreira looks likely to be completed after the World Cup.

The Uruguay international has a €25m (£22m) release clause in his deal with the Serie A club and Arsenal are expected to spread the fee over several years.

Torreira is one of several players identified to improve Arsenal’s spine this summer with Emery having already signed Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer after his Juventus contract expired.

Confirmation of Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ arrival at the club will come at the beginning of July as Borussia Dortmund do not want the transfer to go through until the next fiscal year.

Talks are also ongoing with Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere over contract extensions although there is a growing feeling that the latter could sign for another Premier League side, as Crystal Palace and Southampton are both keen on signing the 26-year-old.